Québec - Chaudière-Appalaches Economic Highlights

Québec Region

Territory

• The Québec region includes Quebec City and six separate administrative divisions, the regional county municipalities (MRCs) of Portneuf, Jacques-Cartier, Côte-de-Beaupré, Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est and Île-d'Orléans.

Population

• In 2001, the region counted 640,000 inhabitants, 8.9% of Quebec's total population. 80 %of the region's population lives in Quebec City.

The region is second in Quebec in terms of educational level(post-secondary and university education completed).

Employment

• The region's unemployment rate in 2004 was 5.9%, lower than the provincial average (8.5%).

A critical mass of enterprises and institutions in promising knowledge-based fields has developed over the past few years.

Economic Activity

• The tertiary sector (public administration and tourism) dominates economic activity.

The region is the second most popular tourist destination in Quebec in terms of the number of tourists (close to 5.5 million, 20% from abroad) and spending (more than $1.5 billion).

The regional manufacturing sector (1,000 enterprises and 29,800 jobs) is growing; however, its economic importance is below the provincial average.

Please refer to the statistical profile ( PDF / HTM Version ) for moreinformation.

Chaudière-Appalaches Region

Territory

• The region is made up of the City of Lévis (about 127,000 inhabitants) and nine separate administrative divisions: the regional county municipalities (RCMs) of Lotbinière, Beauce-Sartigan, Nouvelle-Beauce, Bellechasse, Montmagny, Islet, Robert-Cliche, Amiante and Les Etchemins.

Population

• In 2001, the region's population was estimated at more than 383,000 inhabitants, 5.3% of Quebec's total population.

Employment

• The region's unemployment rate in 2004 was 6.5%, the lowest in the province (8.5%). In fact, there is a serious shortage of skilled workers in parts of the region.

Economic Activity

• The primary and secondary sectors are a strong component of the industrial structure. The manufacturing sector is diversified (about 1,200 enterprises and 50,300 jobs).

The region's sustained economic growth is a result of extraordinary entrepreneurial energy.

To learn more, consult the statistical profile ( PDF / HTM Version ) .